Means and method of securing sink strip



Aug. 2, 1960 H. K. SWITZER MEANS AND METHOD OF SECURING SINK STRIP Filed July 30, 1956 BY INVEIYTOR. nrroeufx United States MEANS AND METHOD OF SECURING SINK STRIP Harold Kenneth Switzer, Trapp Court, Alexandria, Ky.

Filed July 30, 1956, Ser. No. 600,742

13 Claims. c1. 4-187)- strip between a sink and a drainboard is one that has long existed, and in the past there have been many solutions suggested. Certain of the structures heretofore provided have proven to be quite effective and have been widely utilized for the purpose. Nevertheless, the present invention contemplates a solution to the problem which is' entirely different from, and in many respects superior to, anything that has been heretofore suggested.

In commercial practice there are two common ways inwhich'the assembly of the sink, the drainboard, and the sink strip is effected. In practically all new housing construction and in many replacements, the entire assembly operation is performed by the fabricator in his shop, and the assembled members are then transported as a unit to the place of installation. (In particular replacement situations however, and, by custom, in particular localities, it is the practice to first install the drainboard on the job and then to fit the sink and the sink strip to the installed drainboard. The present invention has an application to both types of installation, although it might be said to have a preferred utility in connection with the type of installation where the elements are assembled as a unit at the fabricators shop.

One of the principal purposes of the invention has been to provide a sink strip assembly which is more simple in construction than anything previously proposed, which requires fewer parts, but which at the same time pror vides a strong and secure engagement of the strip between the sink and the drainboard.

Another object has been to provide a sink strip assembly which can be installed much more rapidly than any other type of assembly previously proposed. This is particularly true where the assembly is effected in the fabricators shop.

Another objept has been to provide a sink strip mounting which is adapted to be secured at any desired point on the periphery of the sink and drainboard as contrasted with those types of structures whichcan only be secured at certain fixed points. 7

Another object has-been to provide a sink strip at tachment which is equally adaptable for use with sinks and drainboards of any conventional size, material or configuration.

Another object has been to provide a method of sink strip installation which is radically different from anything previously proposed, and which is simple, rapid and secure.

Other and further objects and advantages will be apparent from the further and more detailed description of.

atent 2,947,005 Patented Aug. 2, 1960 the invention when considered in conjunction with the drawings in which:

Figure 1 is a perspective view of a conventional sink, drainboard and sink strip assembly of the type to which the invention relates.

Figure 2 is a cross sectional view taken along the line 22 in Figure 1, illustrating the details of construction of a preferred form of the invention in assembled and secured position.

Figure 3 is a perspective view of a lug of the preferred form contemplated by the invention-.-

Figure 4 is a cross sectional view taken along the line 4-4 in Figure 2, illustrating the relationship between the sink, the sink strip and the lug prior to the attachment of the lug in position.

Figure 5 is a diagrammatic cross sectional view showing the lug and a portion of the sink strip prior to at-' tachment of the lug.

Figure 1 of the drawings illustrates the conventional arrangement of a flat flange type of sink 10 disposed in an opening in a drainboard 11 and having a sink trim strip 12 interposed between the sink and the drainboard. Flat flange type sinks are conventionally formed from stainless steel, or from porcelain coated steel, or porcelain coated cast iron, while the sink trim strip is ordinarily fabricated from stainless steel formed into the desired configuration by rolling. The drainboard is conventionally formed of plywood having some protective upper surface.

The details of construction and arrangement of the elements which comprise a preferred form of the invention are best illustrated in Figure 2 in which the generally T-shaped sink trim strip 12 is shown as having a leg 13 depending downwardly in a vertical direction, in the opening between the sink and the drainboard. The horizontal top '14 of the T-shaped strip 12, following conventional practice, is formed by bending the strip as at 15 and 16. The lug, which is designated generally as 17, and which is of generally U-shaped configuration when viewed from the top, comprises a pair of extended panels .18 constituting the arms of the U and a back member 19. This back member is flared upwardly and outwardly from the panels 18 to provide a vertically extending offset portion 20 which is adapted to engage the under side of the sink in the assembled position shown in Figure 2. A groove 21 may be formed transversely in the offset portion to provide a weakening line on which the lug may be broken to permit its use with sinks having flanges of greater thickness--specifically those formed of cast iron. Shoulders 22 are formed on the panels 18 adjacent to the back of the lug and continuing partly into the offset portion 20. Slots 23 are provided between these shoulders and the main body portions of the panels 18 for reception of the vertical leg 13 of the T-strip.

This is likewise illustrated in Figure 2. Preferably, the

panels .18 have upwardly pointed projections on their upper and outer ends for engagement with the under side of the drainboard. p

A bore 24 is formed through the back of the lug and hasv a cylindrical portion 25 extending inwardly ofkthe lug. tioned with respect to the slots 23 that approximately one-half of the bore 24 will be above the lowest point in the slots, and approximately one-half will be belowthis point.

The cylinder preferably extends outwardlyto a point approximately equal to the position of the slots with respect to the back of the lug. The upper and inner edge 26 of the cylinder is preferably, although not necessarily, of 'arcuate configuration.

In first describing the assembly of the'elements illustrated in Figure 2, it will be assumed that the fabricator wishes to do the work in his shop. Under these circum- It is, preferred that this cylinder may be so positogether in juxtaposition to each other but in the reverse position to that shown in Figures 1 and 2. In other words, the sink opening isdownwardly, as on the floor. Lugs are then positioned manually around the periphery of the sink strip at the points desired. Generally speaking, two lugs for each corner of the strip are sufficient although more or less can be used if desired. In positioning the lugs on the sink strip, the slots 23 of the lugs are placed over the extended end of the vertical leg of the strip in the manner illustrated generally in Figure 5 (viewed reversely). At this stage of the operation, when viewed laterally, the relationship between the lugs, the sink strip and the sink will be approximately that illustrated in Figure 4. 7

At this point in the operation the fabricator applies force upon the edge 27' and upon the vertical leg of the trim strip in the directions shown by the arrows in Figure 4. As shown, the lug is forced against the under sides of the drainboard and the sink flange while the trim strip is pulled to tighten the opposite sides of the horizontal top of the trim strip against the upper surfaces of the drainboard and the sink flange. This operation may be performed by a tool having a pair of jaws to grip the vertical leg of the trim strip at the sides of the lug, a surface to contact the under side of the lug and, in addition, a punch which is designed to engage the lower edge of the trim strip and to move in the direction of the arrow shown in Figure 5 to swage a portion '28 of the lower edge of the trim strip into the open end of the cylinder 25 so that the upset portion of the trim strip rests against the under side of the shoulder 26. At the conclusion of the operation, and as illustrated in Figure 2, the lug has performed the function of interlocking the sink, the drainboard and the sink strip by the engagement between the sink strip portion 28 and the shoulder 26. The offset portion 20 of the lug has been forced tightly against the under side of the sink and the panels 18 have been forced into locking engagement with the under side of the drainboard.

It will be appreciated that the operation just described can be performed with great rapidity and ease in a fabricating shop and that a large number of assemblies can be completed in avery short time.

Where the sink strip is to be installed in an existing drainboard, the operation is very similar to that just described except that the position of the elements is reversed. The sink, drainboard and sink strip are first assembled together with the sink in supported position. Individual lugs are then placed sequentially on the head of the tool, inserted around the vertical leg of the sink strip, and locked in position as described. The fabricator is, of course, compelled to perform the locking operation underneath the sink, but the same problem exists in all existing installations and the tool may readily be proportioned and contoured to. accommodate it.

While the specific upsetting tool, the operation of which has just been described, is not disclosed here, it will be appreciated that the operation is a relatively simple one, and that other types of tools can be used or can be adapted to use to perform the desired operation. Conceivably, it may be performed manually or by the use of very simple hand tools such as a round headed punch. In its broadest aspect applicants novel method comprises merely the swaging of a portion of the depending edge of the sink strip into locking engagement with a preformed shoulder in a lug which has portions adapted to engage both the sink and the drainboard. The exact contours of the lug are in no sense critical to the method invention, nor is the manner in which contact is made with the sink and drainboard necessarily critical.

One of the particular advantages of the assembly is the low cost of the lugs. These are stamped from cold rolled stock in successive operations and require no hardening. Since there are no adjustable attachment elements in the entire assembly, there is no necessity for 4 tapping screw or bolt holes. Another great advantage is in the simplicity of the construction as besides the sink, drainboard and T-shaped strip, all of which are absolutely conventional, the only additional element is the lug.

Having described my invention, I claim:

1. Means for mounting a flat-flange type sink in an opening in a drainboard, comprising; a frame of generally T-shaped cross section which is adapted to be positioned with its vertical leg between the edge of the drainboard and the edge of the sink and with a horizontal portion overlying the adjacent edges of the drainboard and the sink, the vertical leg of the frame terminating in a lower edge disposed below the plane of the under side of the drainboard, a plurality of one-piece metal lugs which are substantially U-shaped as viewed from above, each lug positioned beneath the frame with the arms of the U in contact with the under side of the drainboard at one side of the opening and with the opposite end thereof in contact with the under side of the sink flange, each lug being configurated to present an arcuate shoulder which is disposed adjacent to the lower edge of the vertical leg of the frame, and a portion of the lower edge of the vertical leg being swaged over to underlie the arcuate shoulder on the lug.

2. Means for mounting a flat-flange type sink in an opening in a drainboard, comprising; a frame of generally T-shaped cross section which is adapted to be positioned with its vertical leg between the edge of the drainboard and the edge of the sink and with a horizontal portion overlying the adjacent edges of the drainboard and the sink, a plurality of lugs disposed at spaced points around the opening in the drainboard, each lug spanning said opening and presenting a part in contact with the under side of the drainboard and another part in contact with the under side of the sink frame, each lug configurated to present a downwardly facing shoulder which is adjacent to the lower edge of the vertical leg of the frame, and a portion of the lower edge of the vertical leg of the frame being bent over into locking engagement with the undersurface of said shoulder.

3. Means for mounting a flat-flange type sink in an opening in a drainboard, comprising; a frame of generally T-shaped cross section which is adapted to be positioned with its vertical leg between the edge of the drainboard and the edge of the sink and with a horizontal leg overlying the adjacent edges of the drainboard and the sink, a plurality of one-piece, metal lugs disposed at spaced points around the opening in the drainboard, each lug being substantially U-shaped as viewed from above to provide two arms and a vertical web joining the arms, the web having a planar area between the arms and an upper portion which is offset to the side of the web opposite the arms, said lug disposed to span the opening between the drainboard and the sink frame with the arms in contact with the under side of the drainboard and with the upper offset portion in contact with the under side of the sink frame, the web portion of the lug disposed adjacent to the vertical leg of the frame being configurated to present a downwardly facing shoulder, and the lower edge of the vertical leg of the frame at each lug being swaged over into locking engagement with the under side of said shoulder.

4. Means for mounting a fiat-flange type sink in an opening in a drainboard, comprising; a frame of generally T-shaped cross section which is adapted to be positioned with its vertical leg between the edge of the drainboard and the edge of the sink and with its top overlying the adjacent edges of the drainboard and the sink, the vertical leg of the frame terminating in a continuous lower edge which is generally parallel to the under side of the sink and drainboard, a plurality of one-piece lugs, each lug disposed to span the opening with one end thereof in contact with the under side of the drainboard and with the disposed adjacent to the loweredge of the vertical leg of the frame and being configurated to present a horizontally disposed shoulder, and the lower edge'of the vertical leg of the frame being upset from the plane of the leg opposite said shoulder to provide'a tang nested beneath the under side of said shoulder.

5. Means for mounting a fiat-flange type sink in an opening in a drainboard comprising a frame of generally T-shaped cross section which is adapted to be positioned with its vertical leg between the edge of the drainboard and the edge of the sink and with its. cross bar overlying the adjacent edges of the drainboard and'the sink, the vertical leg of the frame having its edge disposed below the plane of the under side of the drainboard, a plurality of clips disposed at spaced points around the opening in the drainboard, each clip being disposed to span the opening beneath the frame and having one end thereof in contact with the under side of the drainboard and the opposite end in contact with theunder side of the sink frame, the intermediate portion of the clip configurated to provide a substantially short cylindrical sleeve which is open toward the lower edge of the vertical leg of the frame, and said lower edge of the vertical leg of the frame opposite the sleeve being forcibly bent into said sleeve.

6. In combination with a flat-flange type sink disposed in an opening in a drainboard and a frame of generally T-shaped cross section having its vertical leg between the edge of the drainboard and the edge of the sink and its cross bar overlying said edges, a lug having one arm engaging the under side of the sink and another arm engaging the under side of the drainboard, said lug presenting a shoulder adjacent the T-shaped strip, and a portion of the lower edge of said vertical leg being crimped into locking engagement with the underside of said shoulder.

7. In combination with a sink having a flat peripheral flange, a drainboard having an opening supporting said sink and a frame of generally T-shaped cross section having a vertical leg depending betweentheedge of the sink and the edge of the drainboard and 'a horizontal leg overlying said edges, a lug having extended arms one of which contacts the under side of the sink and another of which contacts the under side of the drainboard, said lug having an aperture formed therein, and a portion of the vertical leg of the frame being swaged into locking engagement in said aperture.

8. A lug for mounting a T-shaped strip between a sink and a drainboard, said lug being generally U-shaped when viewed downwardly, vertical slots in the upper edges of the U arms for receiving the extended edge of the T strip, the portion of the lug on one side of said slots having an upwardly projecting memberf for engaging the under side of the sink and the portion of the lug on the other side of said slots having an upwardly projecting member for engaging the under side of the drainboard, and the back of said U having an aperture therein adjacent the slots, whereby the edge of the T'strip disposed in the slots may be swaged into locking engagement in the aperture.

9. A one-piece lug for mounting a T-shaped strip between a sink and a drainboard, said lug comprising a generally U-shaped member when viewed downwardly, the arms of said member constituting vertically extending panels having upwardly extending projections at the ends thereof and having vertical slots formed in their upper edges spaced slightly from the back, the back of said member having an upward extension flared outwardly and vertically and terminatingabove the plane of the upper surface of the arms, said back having a bore formed therein and a cylinder extending inwardly from the bore and between the arms, and the inner end of said cylinder being in substantially the same transverse plane as the slots in the arms. V

10. The method of mounting a T-shaped frame betwee-n the peripheral edges of a flat-flange type sink and an opening in a drainboard, which method comprises; inserting the sink frame in the aperture with the vertical leg between the sink and the drainboard, positioning on the extended edge of the vertical leg a lug having portions adapted to engage the under sides of the sink and drain board and a shoulder adjacent said extended edge, and then crimping the extended edge into locking engagement with the shoulder. a

11. The method of mounting a T-shaped sink frame between the peripheral edges of a flat-flange type sink and an opening in a drainboard which comprises inserting the sink frame in the aperture with the vertical leg thereof between the sink and the drainboard, positioning on the extended edge of the vertical leg a lug having portions adapted to engage the under sides of the sink and drainboard and presenting a shoulder adjacent said extended edge, swaging the extended edge into locking engagement with the shoulder and simultaneously forcing lug portions against the under side of the sink and drainboard.

12. The method of assembling a flat-flange type sink, a drainboard having an opening therein for the reception of the sink and a protective T-shaped strip adapted to close the opening between the sink and the drainboard, which method comprises; arranging the members in position on a -fiat surface with the sink opening downward, mounting at spaced points on the projecting edge of the vertical leg of the T-strip a plurality of lugs having por-, tions adapted to engage the under sides of thejsink and drainboard, each of said'lugs presenting a shoulder adjacent the extended edge of said strip, and then successively crimping the portions of the extended edge into locking engagement with the shoulders on the individual lugs.

13. The method of mounting a T-shaped sink strip between the peripheral edge of a flat-flange type sink and an opening in the drainboard which method comprises; placing the T strip loosely in position with the vertical leg' of the T between the sink and the drainboard, engaging the extended edge of said vertical leg with a lug having portions adapted to contact the under sides of the sink and drainboard and having another portion presenting a shoulder adjacent said extended edge, swaging the extended edge into locking engagement with the shoulder while simultaneously forcing the leg portions into contact with the under surfaces of the sink and drainboard and pulling the horizontal leg of the T strip tightly against the upper surfaces of the sink and drainboard.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,335,555 Willson Nov. 30, 1943 2,717,397 Ross Sept. 13, 1955 2,727,248 'SWitzer Dec. 20, 1955 FOREIGN PATENTS 109,198 Sweden Nov. 30, 1943 

